China publicizes stories of poverty alleviation among disabled

BEIJING - China introduced on Tuesday four outstanding disabled people and representatives who have aided the disabled to promote their work in poverty alleviation.

"One has to have willpower. A person may get disabled, but his will can never get disabled," said Li Jian, from a village in central China's Henan Province, at a press conference at the State Council Information Office of China.

Li lost his right leg in an accident, and his wife suffered hemiplegia after a cerebral hemorrhage. Li once felt his life was in despair.

However, he did not allow the misfortune to stop him from living his life. "Help from the others can only settle basic livelihood," he said.

He bravely went on to learn planting technology. His endeavors and support from the government for two years led to an annual net income of over 130,000 yuan (18,808 U.S. dollars) in 2016 through growing onions, peanut and loquat.

Li has been elected as Party secretary in his village and now leads fellows of the village in how to earn more income.

Liu Hongxia and her husband, from northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, are both disabled and were once heavily in debt. Through growing Chinese herbs and raising cattle, their annual income is close to 100,000 yuan now, and their life has become increasingly hopeful.

Xie Lyu, from southwest China's Yunnan Province, lost his sight in a car accident. The 28-year-old did not complain about his fate but instead took a massage training class.

With passionate and professional service, Xie achieved his goal of earning his own living through his massage salon, which is now popular.

Jia Ru has spent 15 years assisting the disabled in creating better lives for themselves. This year, she established an innovation park in Xingtang County, northern China's Hebei Province.

"They hope their products can get recognized by the society," said Jia, showing an anti-haze mask produced by the disabled workers there. "Each stitch of these masks is full of dreams, hope and love," she said.